Blink 182 - California

Blink-182
California
2016
Spotify

Some thought it would never happen, other didn't want it to, but like it or not Blink-182 are back and they are still just as California pop punk as they ever have been. A lineup change saw the exit (yet again) of Tom Delonge being replaced by Alkaline Trio's Matt Skiba, whose contributions are minimal at best. Pretty much anyone can step in to that group, play some power chords quickly and try and follow along with Mark Hoppus' voice. If you are expecting Blink-182 to grow up on this album you will be pretty disappointed. Instead of sticking with the ultra emo vibe they took on their self titled release California goes back to their roots, quick drums, picked bass and oo ooo ooohhs whenever possible. "She's Out of Her Mind" is really the first look we get at Blink attacking their old style and it's fun, but expected. "Los Angeles" is where the Alkaline Trio influence starts to creep in. It is one of the most technical tracks on the record and gets most of it's chorus power from some real aggressive guitars. "Sober" is far and away the most melodic, and the we're fucking grown up now" message is not lost. While Blink are great a messing around like on "Built This Pool" which is just an excuse for Mark to say He wants to see "some naked dudes" these moments manage to lighten up what otherwise could come across as a very emo record. It's just music, it should be fun.

California is certainly Blink's most ambitious album musically with songs like "Home Is Such A Lonely Place" taking on a really beautiful and sweet vibe. The song is not like "Adam's Song" which was sad just because the subject matter, but the Guitar riff on "Home Is Such A Lonely Place" is simple and connecting. The songs that fail however are the ones where they try to channel their high school selves to much. "Kings of the Weekend" would be fine if they recorded it when they were 18, but time has moved on and you know that these are just not the thoughts in their heads anymore. However for the most part that is a one off, all the other tracks feel much more grown up and reflective of where the band is now. The humor sprinkled throughout the album also feels like a direct result of Delonge's departure. With Angels and Airwaves he got so incredibly serious and that bled into what Blink was doing as well, which actually kinda sucked. This album is much lighter and really better pop music. California is probably not going to bring around the Blink haters, but for the fans it is a really solid record and one worth a spin.

6.9 out of 10